Passport Program Update - Thanksgiving Edition

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The latest updates from the Fly Washington Passport Program November 23, 2023 Jacket Winner Spotlight! Achievement Unlocked   Meet David Canter, the newest flight jacket winner in the Fly Washington Passport Program. This November he achieved 100% of participating airports flying a Cessna 150 based out of Thun Field. For Canter, the Passport Program was about building time and flying to airports he would not have otherwise visited. Of all the airports he flew into, Electric City emerged as his favorite. Meanwhile, the terrain around Ranger Creek made that landing the most challenging.   Canter logged more than one day in which he landed at 15-20 airports. His flights throughout the Eastern region, and the opportunity to land at Point Roberts ("basically in Canada"), also stood out. With 830 hours total time, Canter is inspired by the program to go back to the smaller airports. He sends a thanks to the sponsors, acknowledging that this program wouldn't exist without their support.   Click below to see the full Jacket Winners list, including all 2023 finishers, participant photos, and trip highlights.   Achievements To date, Fly Washington has given out well over 8,000 passport booklets, meaning there are a LOT of pilots out there collecting stamps! The program aims to support aviation-related businesses, as well as local businesses that benefit from tourism dollars. Participating pilots also reap numerous advantages, including building and maintaining skills, and gaining a renewed appreciation for the geographic diversity and transportation resources of Washington state. As we make our way into the holidays, Fly Washington Passport Program organizers wanted to THANK YOU for your generous donations to the 2023 Fall Food Drive. Non-perishable food and monetary donations were collected at: AUBURN MUNICIPAL AIRPORT (S50) BELLINGHAM INTERNATIONAL (KBLI) BOEING FIELD/KING COUNTY INTERNATIONAL (KBFI) BREMERTON NATIONAL AIRPORT (KPWT) CHEHALIS-CENTRALIA AIRPORT (KCLS) HARVEY FIELD (S43) MEARS FIELD (Concrete, 3W5) PORT OF POULSBO SEAPLANE BASE (83Q) PROSSER AIRPORT (S4) RICHLAND AIRPORT (KRLD) SKAGIT REGIONAL AIRPORT (KBVS) We are still tallying the results. 2023 donation totals coming soon! All contributions are headed for local community food banks. You make the Fly Washington Passport Program proud. A Few Words of Gratitude Lock Box Legend Much goes into keeping the Passport Program running, and we couldn't do it without support from a whole host of individuals and businesses that give generously of their time and resources. One of those is Tom Jensen, a biplane pilot and general aviation enthusiast based out of Evergreen Sky Ranch in Black Diamond. He is active on the Washington Pilots Association board, and an ongoing supporter of the Fly Washington Passport Program. A few airports have reported issues with stamps being "collected" (actually taken, rather than simply used to mark the passport booklet). Tom stepped up to help address this challenge. He has volunteered countless hours and materials, fabricating heavy duty steel lock boxes designed to keep wandering Passport stamps in place. Multiple boxes have been welded, painted and installed thanks to the determination of this gentleman pilot. The lock boxes help deter casual theft while allowing legitimate users to access each stamp. THANK YOU, Tom, for your time and talents! Your efforts are appreciated! Man on a Mission On behalf of all participants, we extend a sincere THANK YOU to Richard Edgerton, who is both a participant and a sponsor of the Fly Washington Passport Program. His company, EdgeAir Aviation Services, provided Fly Washington with a $1000 sponsorship. He also holds the record for most times completing the program. In 2023, Richard earned his third flight jacket, and is currently working on a fourth! As he travels around the state, Richard carries spare ink for the passport stamps, re-inking them as needed. Thank you Richard for your ongoing support!  Airport Updates Goheen Airport (W52), Southwest Region: The stamp has not been placed, so it's not "official" on the list of airports required for a patch or a jacket...yet. The Passport Program still plans to add this airport to the list, hopefully in December. Copalis State Airport (S16), Olympic Region: Due to repeated theft and vandalism, the stamp is not onsite. Although this is a bonus airport (not required for a jacket), you can still get the stamp! Take a photo of yourself at S16 showing your passport and the date, include that photo when you submit your passport for validation at Auburn Municipal Airport, and the Copalis stamp will be added to your Passport Booklet. DeLaurentis Airport (KOKH): The FAA officially changed the name of this airport from AJ Eisenberg to DeLaurentis in September 2023. A new stamp is forthcoming. Auburn Municipal Airport (S50): Auburn has a new (large!) stamp design. Stop in to get it added to your Passport! Collect stamps at up to 113 airports and seaplane bases throughout Washington. Earn regional patches and (with 101 stamps representing 90% of participating airports) a flight jacket! (Click image to see the most current list of participating airports and a link to the interactive map with a detailed description of the stamp location at each airport.) Thank you to all of our Fly Washington Passport Program sponsors. This program would not be possible without their generous donations. Please give them your business and thank them for their support. Fly safe!